Bad breath (also known as halitosis) can ruin your day or someone else's. If you have chronic bad breath, you probably wonder what causes it and what you can do to get rid of it. I am a dentist and I work on people with bad breath every single day. They often ask what they can do to improve their breath. I will tell you exactly what I tell them about bad breath and how to fix it.
The Causes:
1. Poor oral hygiene. Simply put, most people don't brush and floss every day as they should.
2. Smoking. You can tell from someone's breath whether they smoke or not. If you couple smoking with poor oral hygiene and coffee, it can be a devastating combination!
3. Cavities and Periodontal Disease. These are both conditions where bacteria have gotten out of control either in your teeth or under your gums. Neither of these are something you can fix on your own. You need to see a dentist to diagnose and treat these conditions. Left untreated, they will lead to many more problems than just bad breath.
4. Dry Mouth. Saliva is the key protector of your mouth. It contains many enzymes and antibodies to help combat bacteria in your mouth. If your mouth is dry it doesn't have the protection from saliva so the bacteria grow out of control.
5. The foods you eat. Onions and garlic are some of the biggest offenders here.
The Treatment:
1. Of primary importance is following a strict (but simple) regimen of brushing and flossing. If you don't do anything else on the list, do this! Brush at least twice a day for two minutes each time. When you brush, make sure to brush your tongue as well. The tongue is a big place where bacteria can accumulate and grow. Additionally you should floss once a day, making sure to clean the sides of both teeth.
2. Stop smoking. It is difficult but will help enormously with your bad breath as well as reducing your risk of many other diseases.
3. See your dentist every six months for a cleaning and exam. Not only does it keep your mouth clean but it can help you to avoid expensive treatment down the road.
4. Mouthwash. There are a lot of mouthwashes to choose from. They all have an antimicrobial effect and can help cover up bad breath for a short time.
5. Watch what you eat. Avoid foods that you notice give you bad breath.
6. Chew gum. It stimulates saliva flow leading to increased protection for your mouth. Specifically, you should chew sugarless gum, or if you want to go a step further, chew a gum containing the sweetener xylitol which is known to fight bacteria.
If following these instructions doesn't help you, it might serve you well to see your dentist or family physician for another check-up. Bad breath can sometimes be the result of certain infections or underlying health conditions.
Peter McPherson, DMD
Dentist Approved Products
Check out my website where you can find more oral hygiene tips and oral hygiene product reviews including mouthwash, floss, and xylitol gum recommendations.
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